On Monday, June 26, a court found Andrew Charles Vasko guilty of causing the death of off-duty police officer Madam Salinah Mohamed.
The incident occurred on February 10, 2019, when Vasko, driving his Aston Martin, collided with Madam Salinah at a crossing in Shenton Way while making a discretionary right turn. Madam Salinah, who was 40 years old and left behind a husband and three young children, succumbed to a head injury four days later.
Vasko, an American and a permanent resident of Singapore, pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing death by a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide.
The specific accusation against him was failing to keep a proper lookout while making the right turn. Vasko claimed that insufficient lighting and contrast at the scene prevented him from seeing the victim and that he was distracted by a motorcyclist overtaking on his right.
However, District Judge Shawn Ho concluded that Vasko had not observed Madam Salinah walking along the pedestrian crossing, despite the traffic lights being in her favor.
The judge also determined that Vasko had failed to keep a proper lookout and was picking up speed during the turn. He further found that there was adequate lighting and contrast and that Vasko had not been distracted by the motorcyclist.
Judge Ho stated that Vasko’s failure to keep a proper lookout was negligent and that it directly caused Madam Salinah’s death. The court did not hear submissions on the sentence, and both sides requested a later date for that purpose. Vasko will return to court for mitigation and sentencing next month.
Under the charge of causing death by a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide due to the failure to keep a proper lookout when turning right, Vasko could face a maximum penalty of imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both.
Recap
On 10 February 2019, Vasko drank 2 glasses of white wine at about 7pm at Sentosa, with the last of his drink being consumed at 7.45pm.
He then drove his Aston Martin at 9.25pm into the far right lane of Maxwell Road that was heading towards the Straits Boulevard.
He then stopped at the stop line when the traffic light turned red at the junction of Shenton Way, and he was on the far right turning lane.
The traffic light then turned green for him and he then moved his car to the middle of the junction and waited to make a discretionary right turn.
As he was turning right, his Aston Martin then hit Salinah, who was crossing the road halfway from Vasko’s left-to-right view, and the traffic light was in her favour at the time.
She was then thrown onto the road from the impact and sustained a severe injury to her head, and was unconscious when conveyed to the hospital.
She succumbed to her injuries and died 4 days later after being declared brain dead, leaving behind her husband and 3 young children.
Vasko was reportedly driving within the speed limit and passed a breathalyser test, according to court documents.